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SAMATHA-VIPASSANA MEDITATION BASED ON THE FIVE MEDITATION TECHNIQUES TECHNIQUES THEFIVEMEDITATION ON BASED MEDITATION SAMATHA-VIPASSANA Maintaining self or mind is supreme in this world. If one governs the mind one will attain Dhamma [natural phenomena and the noble truths]. To see one’s own mind is to see Dhamma. To know one’s mind is to know all Dhamma. To overcome the mind is to achieve Nibbana. The mind is a noble treasure. One should not overlook it. Phra Ajarn Mun Bhuridatta-thera The Triple Gem Mindfulness of A STUDY GUIDE FOR FOR A STUDYGUIDE Meditation Breathing Dhammakaya Rising-Falling Mind-Body Meditation Samatha (concentration) removes the fi ve mental Hindrances and prepares the mind for wisdom A STUDY GUIDE FOR (paññā), insight wisdom (vipassanā-paññā) and supra-mundane wisdom (lokuttara-paññā). When SAMATHA-VIPASSANA MEDITATION wrong view, defi lements, craving and attachment – the causes of suffering – are eliminated by BASED ON THE FIVE MEDITATION samatha and vipassanā, the suffering subsides TECHNIQUES and eventually extinguishes automatically. Phra Mongkol-Thepmuni (Sodh Candasaro) The National Coordination Center of Provincial Meditation Institutes of Thailand www.dhammacenter.org NAMO TASSA BAGAVATO ARAHATO SAMMA SAMBUDDHASSA HOMAGE TO THE LORD, THE EMANCIPATED, THE ALLENLIGHTENED BUDDHA I A STUDY GUIDE FOR SAMATHAVIPASSANĀ MEDITATION BASED ON THE FIVE MEDITATION TECHNIQUES Published by The National Coordination Center of Provincial Meditation Institute of Thailand, Wat Luang Phor Sodh Dhammakaram www.dhammacenter.org | [email protected] ISBN : 978-974-7533-44-6 First Edition: March 6th 2012 (4,000 copies) Copyright c 2012 No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the prior permission of the publisher. Petkaserm Printing Group Co., Ltd. Nakorn Pathom, Thailand Tel: +66 034-259-758, Fax: +66 034-253-465 www.pkprinting.com II HIS HOLINESS SOMDEJ PHRA NYANASANGVARA Sangharaja Sakalamahasanghaparinayaka The Supreme Patriarch III HIS HOLINESS SOMDEJ PHRA BUDDHAJARN President of Sangha Body Conference, Acting Sangharaja Committee, Chief of East Sangha Region, Abbot, Wat Saket Rajamahavihara, Bangkok, Thailand IV HIS HOLINESS SOMDEJ PHRA MAHARAJAMANGKALAJARN Acting Sangharaja Committee Member of Sangha Body, Chief of North Sangha Region, Abbot, Wat Paknam Basijareaon, Bangkok, Thailand V HIS HOLINESS SOMDEJ PHRA BUDDHACHINNAWONG Committee Member of Sangha Body, Chief of Central Sangha Region, Abbot, Wat Pichaiyat, Bangkok, Thailand VI FOREWORD Phra Thepyanmongkol, the President of the National Coordi- nation Center of Provincial Meditation Institute of Thailand, and its committee members have made a resolution to publish, A Study Guide for Samatha-Vipassanā Meditation based on the Five Meditation Techniques, as a book. Those fi ve techniques are (i) the Triple Gem Meditation (Buddho); (ii) Mindfulness of Breathing (ānāpānasati); (iii) Rising-Falling (infl ating-contracting); (iv) Mind (nāma) and Body (rūpa); and (v) Dhammakaya Meditation (sammā arahang). The pur- pose for this publication is a study guide for right practice of the Lord Buddha, based upon these fi ve meditation techniques. A meditator in- dependently practices any one of these, based upon one’s own tempera- ment. The book has been completed and published as a book for Dhamma dissemination and the great benefi ts to our beloved Buddhists who are seeking for the right practice. The information of this publication was collected from fi ve dif- ferent mediation centers before being translated into English. I agree that this book will be of great benefi t for those who study and practice samatha-vipassanā meditation, based on their own temperaments. More- over, the book, A Study Guide for Right Practice of the Three Trainings based on Visuddhimagga, which has been published before, is highly recommended for meditators to study, along with this book, for leading straightly (ujupaipanno) and rightly (ñāyapaipanno) to the Right Prac- tice of Lord Buddha and to ultimate achievement or Nibbāna. I would like to congratulate everyone for this success, especially, Phra Thepyarnmongkol, the President of the National Coordination Center of Provincial Meditation Institutes of Thailand, who encouraged supporting the publication. VII Finally, with the Power of the Triple Gem, I would like to wish everyone to prosper in the Teaching of Lord Buddha with the Right Practice for escape from the triple round (rounds of defi lements, kamma or karma and results) and attainment of Paths (magga), Fruits (phala) and Nibbāna. And, I wish all may have a long life, good looks, Happi- ness, Health, Wisdom and good fortune. May whatever you so wish for be yours. Somdej Phra Maharajamangkalajarn Acting Sangharaja Committee Member of the Sangha Body, Chief of the North Sangha Region, Chief of Pali Studies, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the National Coordination Center of Provincial Meditation Institutes of Thailand, Abbot of Wat Paknam Basicareon, Bangkok VIII ADVISORY & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE BOOK CHAIRMAN OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE Somdej Phra Maharajamonggalajarn, Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, Bangkok. ADVISORY COMMITTEE Phra Brahmavachirayan, Wat Yannawa, Bangkok. Phra Visuddhiwongsajarn, Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, Bangkok. Phra Dhammakittiwong, Wat Rajorasaram, Bangkok. Phra Dhammapariyatvede, Wat Phra Pathom Jedi, Nakorn Pathom. Phra Dhammakosajarn, Wat Prayun Wongsawat, Bangkok. Phra Rajbrahmathera, Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, Bangkok. CHAIRMAN OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Phra Thepyanmongkol, Wat Luang Phor Sodh Dhammakayaram, Rajchaburi. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Phra Mongkolwattanakhun, Wat Pa Salawan, Nakornrajsima. Phra Sriyansobhon , Wat Rama IX Karnchanapisek, Bangkok. Phra Maha Pamoth Pamodito, Wat Luang Phor Sodh Dhammakayaram, Rajchaburi. Phra Maha Sagda Sumano, Wat Pa Visuddhikhun, Petchaburi. IX Translated from Thai Version of A STUDY GUIDE FOR SAMATHAVIPASSANĀ MEDITATION BASED ON THE FIVE MEDITATION TECHNIQUES ISBN: 978-974-401-963-9 Published by The National Coordination Center of Provincial Meditation Institute of Thailand X EDITORS AND TRANSLATORS Phra Maha Wannapong Wannawangso, Pali Grade 9, (M.Sc. Eng.), Oregon State University, OR, USA), Phra Khru Baitika Dr. Barton Yanathiro (Ph.D. in Social Psychology, Cornell University, NY, USA.) Phra Maha Natpakanan Gunanggaro (MBA, Eastern Washington University, WA, USA), Mr. David Dale Holmes (Ph.D [ABD], Ludgwig Maximilians University, Germany) Ms. Eunice E. Cerezo (BA, Chico State University, CA, USA) Mr. Sakrapan Eamegdool (BSBA Business Management, Boston University, MA, USA). Mr. Watcharapol Daengsubha (BA in Management, Mahidol University International College, Nakhon Prathom, Thailand), Ms. Jessica Dawn Ogden (BA in Management, Lakeland College, A.B., Canada). COVER AND GRAPHIC DESIGNS Mr. Phakakorn Muangnil XI VENERABLE PHRA THEPYANMONGKOL President, the National Coordination Center of Provincial Meditation Institutes of Thailand, Abbot, Wat Luang Phor Sodh Dhammakayaram XII ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The National Coordination Center of Provincial Meditation Institutes of Thailand was established with the commitment of Di- rectors from 338 Meditation Centers (out of over 400) invited by the National Buddhism Organization to a conference at Wat Yannawa, Bangkok, April 23-25, B.E. 2551 (2008). There were fi ve objectives. Three were established at the conference and the last two were added later. 1. To support the Sangha Body’s Provincial Meditation Cen- ters to administer Buddhist Education effectively, 2. To cooperate with Provincial Meditation Centers to teach meditation at the same high standard for all people at all levels, 3. To assist Provincial Meditation Centers with academic scholarship. 4. To cooperate with the Chiefs of the Sangha Regions and Directors of the Provincial Meditation Centers to raise academic train- ing techniques to the same high standard. 5. To support the Sangha in stabilizing, protecting and develop- ing Buddhism under the rules of the Discipline, the Law and the Sangha Rules. The committee members agreed to publish A Study Guide for Samatha-Vipassanā Meditation based on the Five Meditation Tech- niques, as a book. Those fi ve techniques are the Triple Gem Medita- tion (buddho), Mindfulness of Breathing (ānāpānasati), Rising-Falling (infl ating-contracting), Mind (nāma) and Body (rūpa), and Dhamma- kaya Meditation (sammā arahang). The purposes for this publication were for disseminating the Right Dhamma Practice to the directors and meditation masters of Meditation Centers across Thailand and Buddhists worldwide who study and practice the Right Practice of Lord Buddha, and, most importantly, for all meditators independently practicing any one of these based on one’s own temperament. XIII The book has been translated by Phra Maha Natpakanan Gunanggaro, and edited by Phra Maha Wannapong Wannavanso, David Dale Holmes, Eunice E. Cerezo, Mr. Sakrapan Eamegdool, Mr. Watcharapol Daengsubha, and Ms. Jessica Dawn Ogden. Please address any questions or comments to www.dhammacenter.org. I would like to thank everyone for their strenuous efforts and to congratulate them on this successful contribution to the promulga- tion of the Dhamma. May these meritorious actions lead all to have prosperity of life and to achieve the Paths, Fruits and Nibbana. May Lord Buddha bless you all, as well as your meritorious work. Phra Thepyanmongkol President of the National Coordination Center of Provincial Meditation Institutes of Thailand, Director of the Meditation Center of Rajburi Province, and
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  • Ajahn Chandako Samatha and Vipassana in Harmony

    Ajahn Chandako Samatha and Vipassana in Harmony

    BuddhaSasana Home Page English Section A Honed and Heavy Ax Samatha and Vipassanā in Harmony Ajahn Chandako Abbreviations DN - Dīgha Nikāya MN - Majjhima Nikāya SN - Samyutta Nikāya AN - Anguttara Nikāya Sn - Sutta Nipāta It - Itivuttaka -ooOoo- May all beings be free from all suffering. The Ax Imagine you need to chop down a dead tree with an ax. To be successful the ax will have to be both sharp and reasonably heavy. But where does sharpness end and weight begin? It’s clear that even with great effort neither using a razorblade nor a baseball bat is going to do the trick. In the context of Buddhist meditation practice the weight of the ax may be compared to serenity (samatha), its sharpness to insight (vipassanā). These two aspects of meditation play the crucial roles in awakening beings to the nature of reality and releasing them from suffering. By examining the most ancient texts attributed to the Buddha as well as some popular contemporary approaches, this work will attempt to shed light on the mutually supportive relationship between these two pillars of spiritual development. The word ‘vipassanā’ has come to be associated with particular meditation techniques or a style of Buddhist practice in the Theravada tradition. What the Buddha originally taught however, was ‘samatha/ vipassanā’. Samatha means the calm and tranquility that result from sustained attention on one object, process or perception. Vipassanā refers to clear seeing. When they are both present, a person’s heart and mind are in balance. Samatha is unifying, unconditionally accepting and non-discriminating. It is still, bright, radiant, internally silent and blissful.